Cross-country athlete stays the course

Kamiak senior and distance runner Joey Davis is about to begin his final track season running for Kamiak High School. Davis has spent four years running for Kamiak and is organizing a fun run to benefit All Aboard, an activities program for adults with special needs.

Kamiak senior and distance runner Joey Davis is about to begin his final track season running for Kamiak High School. Davis has spent four years running for Kamiak and is organizing a fun run to benefit All Aboard, an activities program for adults with special needs.

Q: As a cross-country athlete who also runs track, your years at Kamiak have been shaped by running. And now you're planning a run to give back to the community?A: I've been involved in cross country and track the past four years. This year we've been working on the UKnight for Autism run. It's a 3-mile fun run or walk at 9 a.m. April 20 here at Kamiak. Proceeds will go directly to All Aboard, which helps people with special needs. I've gotten to know a couple students in the Life Skills class here who will be going there next year.Q: Do you have college plans?A: I've signed a letter of intent to run cross country and track at Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho. I really liked the coach there.Q: What is it you love about cross country?A: I love the team aspect of it. No matter how good the No. 1 runner is, you're only as good as the team. We won Wesco this year, and for the first time ever won districts.Q: And you're following in family footsteps?A: My sister Shelly is a junior at Gonzaga. She runs cross country and track. She got into it as a freshman here. Being on the same team with her for one year when I started was really great. She was a senior, and all her friends knew me.Q: Tell me about the rest of your family.A: My mom, Eileen Davis, is a substitute teacher; I've had her in class. She used to teach in Snohomish. Even some of my friends call her Mom. My dad, Mitch Davis, is a manager with Stellar Industrial Supply.Q: Do you have any spare time?A: I run six days a week. On Sundays, I work at the Harbour Pointe QFC. I bag groceries.Q: What have you learned from that job?A: I've learned a lot about customer service. There are rules in bagging: Don't put the chips underneath the watermelon. The worst part is getting the carts in the rain.Q: What classes are you taking this year? Do you have a favorite?A: Fourth-year Spanish, AP English, AP government, algebra 2 honors, leadership and yearbook. Leadership this year has been my favorite. We did a Hope Holiday fundraiser, and assigned classes to provide gifts for needy families. We had 76 families.And we had a blood drive on Valentine's Day. The Puget Sound Blood Center came, and 200 students and staff donated blood, and because of an age limit only juniors and seniors can donate.Q: Do you have a favorite TV show?A: I like to watch "SportsCenter" on ESPN. I played baseball, basketball and soccer when I was younger. I went to Mukilteo Elementary and Olympic View Middle School. My friends' dads all coached.Q: Have you made summer plans?A: I'll be working a lot, and training a lot for cross country and track. In July I'll spend a week in Idaho for team bonding.Q: Tell me more about the UKnight for Autism run.A: This student in the Life Skills class -- he's really well liked at Kamiak -- he drew three animals for us, for the T-shirt design. His hand-drawn animals, an elephant, a cheetah and a macaw, fit with the run motto, "Run, walk or fly your way to the finish." The run is suited to all levels.Q: Is it too soon to know your career goals?A: I would like to go into education, be a coach, and maybe come back here.Q: What will you miss most when you leave Kamiak?A: I've really enjoyed all the teachers, especially my coaches (Charley) LeWarne and (Bill) Costello, we just call him "Coz." They have really helped me in school.Julie Muhlstein: 425-339-3460; muhlstein@heraldnet.com.Fun run at KamiakA 3-mile charity run, UKnight for Autism, is scheduled for 9 a.m. April 20 at Kamiak High School, 10801 Harbour Pointe Blvd., Mukilteo. Proceeds will benefit All Aboard, a local nonprofit organization providing activities for adults with special needs. Registration is $25 through April 6 (includes T-shirt), or $30 April 7 to 20 (no T-shirt). Register online at www.Active.com.

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